HISTORY
The John A. Merritt Classic, first played in 1999, honors the history of John Ayers Merritt, the legendary TSU football coach who led the Tigers from 1963 – 1983.
During twenty-one seasons, “Big John” won four undisputed national championships among historically black colleges ranked by the Sheridan Poll, compiled a lifetime record of 172-33-1, and built a powerful program that produced NFL stars like Richard Dent (Chicago Bears), “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Claude Humphrey (Philadelphia Eagles) and many others.
The John A. Merritt Classic, one of only two football Classics solely hosted by a single NCAA FCS institution, is intended to allow Tennessee State to raise funds for scholarships and other related needs for TSU students. The Classic also has a history of providing opportunities for community outreach with its weekend of activities.
John Ayers Merritt
1926-1983
John A. Merritt, one of Tennessee’s most successful football coaches, was born on January 26, 1926, in Falmouth, Kentucky, the son of a stonemason, Bradley Merritt and his wife, Grace. After completing grade school, he moved to Louisville to live with an aunt in order to be eligible to attend Central High School, where he played football. Merritt joined the U.S. Navy after graduation. When he returned from military service, Merritt earned a football scholarship to Kentucky State College. In 1947 he married Maxine Owens, and they had a daughter, Bonita (Bonnie) Merritt Traughber. After receiving his college degree, Merritt entered graduate school in 1950. He coached football at Versailles High School and Jackson State University before coming to Tennessee State University.
Some twenty-three Merritt-coached players distinguished themselves in the NFL, including six who played in the Super Bowl. In addition, twenty-nine assistants, three head coaches, and five athletic directors played for Coach Merritt.
John Merritt compiled thirty straight winning seasons. Along with an excellent staff of assistant coaches which included Joe Gilliam Sr. and Alvin Coleman, who had accompanied Merritt to TSU from Jackson State in 1963, he implemented a wide open pro-type T offense with multiple sets. In 1967 his team achieved a national defensive record for allowing opponents a measly average of 2.15 yards per carry. He was Coach of the Year in 1973. Merritt’s team received the Associated Press and the United Press International small college championships in 1975. By 1979 he had a record of 130-25-5. Merritt modestly downplayed his role in the team’s success and attributed the team’s winning record to “the Good Lord.”
The more games Merritt won and the more players he sent to the National Football League, the more attention Tennessee and Tennessee State University gained nationally. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter called to congratulate Merritt for his 200th victory.
- GAME HISTORY
YEAR HOME VISITOR ATTENDANCE 1999 TENNESSEE STATE 41 ALABAMA STATE 8 31,119 2000 TENNESSEE STATE 30 ALABAMA STATE 13 20,463 2001 TENNESSEE STATE 27 ALABAMA A&M 6 22,000 2002 TENNESSEE STATE 41 PRAIRIE VIEW 8 18,652 2003 TENNESSEE STATE 37 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 20 18,124 2004 TENNESSEE STATE 42 ALABAMA A&M 7 25,117 2005 TENNESSEE STATE 14 ALABAMA A&M 27 25,342 2006 TENNESSEE STATE 20 ALABAMA A&M 27 19,487 2007 TENNESSEE STATE 23 ALABAMA A&M 49 23,440 2008 TENNESSEE STATE 34 SOUTHERN 32 28,830 2009 TENNESSEE STATE 7 ALABAMA A&M 24 23,871 2010 TENNESSEE STATE 27 ALABAMA A&M 14 22,607 2011 TENNESSEE STATE 33 SOUTHERN 7 25,209 2012 TENNESSEE STATE 17 FLORIDA A&M 14 15,652 2013 TENNESSEE STATE 9 BETHUNE-COOKMAN 12 16,108 2014 TENNESSEE STATE 56 EDWARD WATERS 6 10,541 2015 TENNESSEE STATE 24 ALABAMA STATE 14 22,500 2016 TENNESSEE STATE 44 UAPB 0 15,078 2017 TENNESSEE STATE 16 EASTERN ILLINOIS 19 11,013 2018 TENNESSEE STATE 34 Bethune Cookman 3 14,069 2019 TENNESSEE STATE 26 Mississippi valley state 20 13,458 CANCELLED 2021 TENNESSEE STATE 41 kentucky state 7 2,513 2022 TENNESSEE STATE 27 lane 28 10,500 - GAME RECORDS
Tennessee State (16-7) Alabama State (0-3) Alabama A&M (4-3) Bethune-Cookman (1-1) Eastern Illinois (1-0) Edward Waters (0-1) Florida A&M (0-1) Gardner-Webb (0-1) Kentucky State (0-1) Lane College (1-0) Mississippi Valley State (0-1) Prairie View (0-1) South Carolina State (0-1) Southern (0-2) UAPB (0-1) - John A. Merritt Classic HONOREES
Year
HONOREE
1999 Merritt Family 2000 Merritt Assistant Coaches: Joe Gilliam, Sr. & Alvin Coleman, Sr. 2001 Carrie Gentry & former Majorettes 2002 Sam Whitmon 2003 TSU Original Boosters 2004 1966 Undefeated Team 2005 1970 Undefeated Team 2006 50th Anniversary Championship Basketball & Women’s Track 2007 1973 Undefeated Team “HBCU Football Champions” 2008 1998 & 1999 OVC Champions 2009 1982 Undefeated Team“HBCU Football Champions” 2010 1965 Undefeated Team “HBCU Football Champions” 2011 Dr. Fred Humphries, Ivanetta Davis, & Homer Wheaton 2012 Dr. James Hefner 2013 Richard Dent 2014 Edward L. prof’ graves 2015 Ed “Too Tall” Jones 2016 Undefeated 1956 national championship football team 2017 No Honoree 2018 John Merritt Classic Committee 2019 No Honoree 2020 No Honoree 2021 No Honoree 2022 No Honoree